2010 Lexus GX460 height

312
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)■
Height modes
●N mode (normal mode): For ordinary driving
Normal height
● HI mode (high mode): For driving on bumpy roads
1.6 in. (40 mm) higher than the normal rear height
HI mode cannot be selected when vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph
(30 km/h).
● LO mode (low mode): For the ease of egress/ingress and loading
luggage
0.8 in. (20 mm) lower than the normal rear height
LO mode cannot be selected wh en vehicle speed exceeds 7 mph
(12 km/h).

313
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Disabling the height controlWhen the height control OFF
switch is pressed with the vehicle
stopped, the vehicle height is fixed
at the current height.
This status is memorized in the sys-
tem even after the engine is
stopped.
The height can be adjusted by
pressing the height control OFF
switch again.
When vehicle speed exceeds
18 mph (30 km/h), the rear height
control air suspension turns on
automatically.

314
2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
■When HI mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when driving at the speeds of 18 mph (30
km/h). 
Even if vehicle speed is then reduced to under 18 mph (30 km/h), height will not
return to HI mode.
■When LO mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to N mode when vehicle speed exceeds 7 mph
(12 km/h). 
Even if vehicle speed is then reduced to under 7 mph (12 km/h), height will not
return to LO mode.
■Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants and the luggage load, vehicle height in any
mode is always adjusted to a fixed height by the automatic leveling function.
■The rear height control air suspension will not operate in the following cases:
●The underbody of the vehicle is touching the surface of the road.
●The area around the suspension is covered with ice.
■Even if you hear an operating noise
This does not indicate a problem in the rear height control air suspension.
■Parking and stopping tips
●If you immediately stop the engine after of f-road driving, or park the vehicle for
a long time, the vehicle height may gradually lower. When parking, make sure
there is nothing under the vehicle that ma y come in contact with the underbody.
The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.
●The vehicle height may change as the temperature changes when the engine is
stopped. The vehicle will return to the set height when the engine is started.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
■When lowering the vehicle
In order to prevent the vehicle height from rising as occupants leave the vehicle,
lowering control will occur for a short while after the engine has been stopped.
■The rear height control air suspension failure warning
●If a malfunction occurs in the rear height control air suspension, N mode is auto-
matically selected. However, the system may not switch to N mode depending
on the location of the malfunction.
●The warning message is displayed on the multi-information display, and the rear
height control air suspension cannot be activated until the malfunction is cor-
rected. 
Stop the engine and start it again. If th e warning message turns off, the system is
operating correctly. If the warning mess age continues to be displayed, have
your vehicle inspected by your Le xus dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION
■The rear height control air suspension must be turned off when
In the following situations, the automatic leveling function may cause vehicle height
to change, resulting in an unexpected accident:
●When jacking up the vehicle, installing tire chains or tying the vehicle with chains/
wires for transportation via flat bed truck (Turn off the rear height control air sus-
pension and stop the engine.)
●When the vehicle must be towed or disconnecting a trailer (Put the vehicle height
in N mode and turn off the rear height control air suspension.)
●When the vehicle is stuck (Turn off th e rear height control air suspension.)

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2-4. Using other driving systems
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
CAUTION
■Selecting the correct height mode
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the vehicle and dangerous handling
characteristics which may lead to an accide nt resulting in death or serious injury.
●Before lowering vehicle height, check that there is no one under the vehicle.
●HI mode should be used for off-road driving. 
As the vehicle’s center of gr avity is higher in this setting, the vehicle may become
unstable if an abrupt turn is made.
●Do not select HI mode when loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier. 
This may result in a loss of control or vehicle rollover.
NOTICE
■Be careful in any place where overhead space is limited
The vehicle height will rise when a higher mode is selected or cargo is unloaded.
This may cause damage to the vehicle.
■Do not select LO mode when driving on bumpy roads
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle may be
damaged.
■Changing vehicle height
Do not change vehicle height frequently. 
The compressor may overheat and stop operation.
■When on the extremely uneven roads with rocks
Sometimes the vehicle height is not adjusted because it is judged as uneven road
driving.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
●Pre-collision alert braking (vehicle with driver monitor system):
• The pre-collision braking off switch is not pressed.
• The system determines that the driver is not facing forward.
• Vehicle speed is greater than about 9 mph (15 km/h).
• The speed at which your vehicle is approaching the obstacle or the vehicle running ahead of you is greate r than about 24 mph (40 km/h).
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of a collision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
●When there is an overhead bridge, sign or billboard ahead
●When there are excessive changes in the vehicle height (when it tilts forwards
or backwards)
●When there is an abnormality in the radar sensor
●When an overhead metal object can be seen at the top of an uphill road
●When passing through an electronic toll collection gate (only in countries with
electronic toll collection)
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the restricted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten it.

348
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions
Off-road vehicle features● Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of
vehicle to be more likely to rollover . And, utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passen-
ger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road condit ions. Therefore, sharp turns at
excessive speeds may cause the vehicle to rollover.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher ground
clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its center of grav-
ity to make it capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applica-
tions.

355
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60E69U)
Example based on your vehicleCargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined wei ght of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity
will be as follows:
Vehicles without rear height control air suspension
With third seats — total load capacity: 1315 lb. (595 kg)
1315 lb. - 366 lb. = 949 lb. (595 kg - 166 kg = 429 kg)
Without third seats
— total load capacity: 1525 lb. (690 kg)
1525 lb. - 366 lb. = 1159 lb. (690 kg - 166 kg = 524 kg)
Vehicles with rear height control air suspension
Total load capacity: 1280 lb. (580 kg)
1280 lb. - 366 lb. = 914 lb. (580 kg - 166 kg = 414 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of 388 lb.
(176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as follows: